Porch Confessions
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16).
Last year I was in the pit. It was the kind of pit where making dinner and smiling at my children was enough to sap all of my energy. I was tired. Discouraged. I wanted to give up on my life.
I still loved my family, but I was exhausted and depressed. I wanted to either crawl under my bed for about a month or run far away and not look back.
One cloudless Monday afternoon, my prayer partner came over. Most weeks, Amanda brings her two small boys to my house, and they nap or run around with my children while we try to find a quiet place to pray. That particular afternoon was especially noisy, and we escaped to my porch, shouting out instructions to the children as we firmly closed the door behind us.
Ah. Peace.
“How are you?” she asked, peering at me over her sunglasses.
I didn’t really want to talk because that would take too much effort. But somehow the words started to come, and I shared the pain of what was going on in my heart. And the hopelessness I felt. And how I saw absolutely no way out of my pit.
She listened well (just like she always does), and then she began to pray for me. She prayed for me to walk in the truth, to listen to Jesus instead of shame, to have victory. Amanda threw herself before the Lord on my behalf and interceded for me as I cried. She prayed for my family, my depression, my heart, my passion for Jesus and His Word.
On and on and on and on. She prayed.
And when she was done, something changed in my heart . I had the strength that night to get up and engage a little with my family. I had the courage that night to talk, really talk, to my husband about what was going on for me. I had the resolve that night to make some hard decisions for my life that would ultimately lead me out of the pit.
She prayed for me that day on my porch, and she prays for me daily. Amanda lifts me up before God every morning in her den with her Bible open in her lap and her chai tea next to her on the coffee table.
These are the prayers of a righteous woman who unabashedly goes to bat for me before the throne of God. And when she does, there is power and change in my life. When she prays for me, Heaven and earth collide, and I begin to heal.
I do not want to take this gift of prayer for granted. I want to be called higher myself – to pray like that for Amanda, my husband, my children, my friends. I want to be a part of their victory and their healing – like Amanda was for me.
Father, thank you for using prayer to change our hearts and our lives. You are so faithful to us when we lift each other up before your throne. I ask that you would give me a fresh desire this day to pray for my family and friends. Please give me a heart of intercession for the people I love. In the name of your Son, Amen.
What a great friend you have!! I also strive to be that kind of prayer warrior. It takes so much discipline but it is worth it.
I’ve also struggled with depression in the past and have found there is no remedy like prayer.I’m so glad you are doing better this year and that God has put friends in your path like Amanda!!
You made me cry. And you know that is a BIG accomplishment
. You taught me how to pray. You walked beside me when I was a young child in my faith and stripped away all the limitations I had in my prayer life and taught me to confidently talk to my Father about EVERYTHING. So it is extra special when I get to pray for you. You have come SOOOO far since that day. You have taken huge leaps toward freedom and I will ALWAYS pray you through until we reach the finish line and get to finally fall into the arms of the One who loves us.
I love you my dearest friend.
Amanda is AWESOME and so are YOU! I am blessed to know such amazing prayer warriors and women who love the Lord with all of their heart. I love how we can pick each other up when one is weary. Sometimes the storm knocks us for a loop, prayerful friends help settle the dust so we can see beyond our circumstances!! I too suffered from depression. I claim complete healing and TOTAL FREEDOM in JESUS name! I can feel when the enemy tries to come back at me with it. One day it was SO bad all I could do was lie on my floor crying and whisper the name Jesus. I could not tell anyone or explain it. But I was “falling”….so even if you can’t talk just slip out the name Jesus over and over and HE WILL hear you! From that moment on I REFUSE to go there because our Savior took that to the cross for us. I hope this encourages someone today. My instant thought used to be “oh no…here it comes” now it is “OH NO YOU WON’T because the JOY of the LORD is MY strength” and I put on the garment of praise. I know I would not have had that revelation without my prayer warriors interceding for me! Let’s commit to lifting each other up and remembering that we have VICTORY in Jesus! WOW do I LOVE HIM!
My first thought was “I want an Amanda!” then I thought I should aspire to be someone’s Amanda. Thanks for the great post.
I just love that little Amanda!!! I saw her tonight and she really spoke some GREAT words of encouragement and truth into my much needed life tonight! She is just precious. You both are blessed to have such a lovely friendship.
Hi Jessie! I just wanted to let you know what an inspiration your blog is. I think we are a lot alike. Its comforting to see a fellow sister struggling with the same things I do.
I have awarded you with the “Uplifting Blog” award over on my blog. I’m not a big fan of awards when we’re blogging for Jesus but this is was an award I felt led to give out to a few special blogs, including yours. Thanks again for being who you are and sharing it with us!!